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Publications

2023

Quantum privacy-preserving service for secure lane change in vehicular networks

Authors
Rahmani, Z; Barbosa, LS; Pinto, AN;

Publication
IET QUANTUM COMMUNICATION

Abstract
Secure Multiparty Computation (SMC) enables multiple parties to cooperate securely without compromising their privacy. SMC has the potential to offer solutions for privacy obstacles in vehicular networks. However, classical SMC implementations suffer from efficiency and security challenges. To address this problem, two quantum communication technologies, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Quantum Oblivious Key Distribution were utilised. These technologies supply symmetric and oblivious keys respectively, allowing fast and secure inter-vehicular communications. These quantum technologies are integrated with the Faster Malicious Arithmetic Secure Computation with Oblivious Transfer (MASCOT) protocol to form a Quantum Secure Multiparty Computation (QSMC) platform. A lane change service is implemented in which vehicles broadcast private information about their intention to exit the highway. The proposed QSMC approach provides unconditional security even against quantum computer attacks. Moreover, the communication cost of the quantum approach for the lane change use case has decreased by 97% when compared to the classical implementation. However, the computation cost has increased by 42%. For open space scenarios, the reduction in communication cost is especially important, because it conserves bandwidth in the free-space radio channel, outweighing the increase in computation cost. A Quantum Secure Multiparty Computation (QSMC) solution for lane change service in vehicular networks that uses two quantum technologies, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Quantum Oblivious Key Distribution (QOKD) is proposed. This quantum-based approach is resistant to quantum computer attacks and requires less communication resources compared to classical methods.image

2023

Task Model Design and Analysis with Alloy

Authors
Cunha, A; Macedo, N; Kang, E;

Publication
RIGOROUS STATE-BASED METHODS, ABZ 2023

Abstract
This paper describes a methodology for task model design and analysis using the Alloy Analyzer, a formal, declarative modeling tool. Our methodology leverages (1) a formalization of the HAMSTERS task modeling notation in Alloy and (2) a method for encoding a concrete task model and compose it with a model of the interactive system. The Analyzer then automatically verifies the overall model against desired properties, revealing counter-examples (if any) in terms of interaction scenarios between the operator and the system. In addition, we demonstrate how Alloy can be used to encode various types of operator errors (e.g., inserting or omitting an action) into the base HAMSTERS model and generate erroneous interaction scenarios. Our methodology is applied to a task model describing the interaction of a traffic air controller with a semi-autonomous Arrival MANager (AMAN) planning tool.

2023

Using Digital Tools to Study the Health of Adults Born Preterm at a Large Scale: e-Cohort Pilot Study

Authors
Lorthe, E; Santos, C; Ornelas, JP; Doetsch, JN; Marques, SCS; Teixeira, R; Santos, AC; Rodrigues, C; Goncalves, G; Sousa, PF; Lopes, JC; Rocha, A; Barros, H;

Publication
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH

Abstract
Background: Preterm birth is a global health concern. Its adverse consequences may persist throughout the life course, exerting a potentially heavy burden on families, health systems, and societies. In high-income countries, the first children who benefited from improved care are now adults entering middle age. However, there is a clear gap in the knowledge regarding the long-term outcomes of individuals born preterm. Objective: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of recruiting and following up an e-cohort of adults born preterm worldwide and provide estimations of participation, characteristics of participants, the acceptability of questions, and the quality of data collected. Methods: We implemented a prospective, open, observational, and international e-cohort pilot study (Health of Adult People Born Preterm-an e-Cohort Pilot Study [HAPP-e]). Inclusion criteria were being an adult (aged =18 years), born preterm (<37 weeks of gestation), having internet access and an email address, and understanding at least 1 of the available languages. A large, multifaceted, and multilingual communication strategy was established. Between December 2019 and June 2021, inclusion and repeated data collection were performed using a secured web platform. We provided descriptive statistics regarding participation in the e-cohort, namely, the number of persons who registered on the platform, signed the consent form, initiated and completed the baseline questionnaire, and initiated and completed the follow-up questionnaire. We also described the main characteristics of the HAPP-e participants and provided an assessment of the quality of the data and the acceptability of sensitive questions. Results: As of December 31, 2020, a total of 1004 persons had registered on the platform, leading to 527 accounts with a confirmed email and 333 signed consent forms. A total of 333 participants initiated the baseline questionnaire. All participants were invited to follow-up, and 35.7% (119/333) consented to participate, of whom 97.5% (116/119) initiated the follow-up questionnaire. Completion rates were very high both at baseline (296/333, 88.9%) and at follow-up (112/116, 96.6%). This sample of adults born preterm in 34 countries covered a wide range of sociodemographic and health characteristics. The gestational age at birth ranged from 23+6 to 36+6 weeks (median 32, IQR 29-35 weeks). Only 2.1% (7/333) of the participants had previously participated in a cohort of individuals born preterm. Women (252/333, 75.7%) and highly educated participants (235/327, 71.9%) were also overrepresented. Good quality data were collected thanks to validation controls implemented on the web platform. The acceptability of potentially sensitive questions was excellent, as very few participants chose the I prefer not to say option when available. Conclusions: Although we identified room for improvement in specific procedures, this pilot study confirmed the great potential for recruiting a large and diverse sample of adults born preterm worldwide, thereby advancing research on adults born preterm.

2023

A DEA Approach to Evaluate the Performance of the Electric Mobility Deployment in European Countries

Authors
Vaz, B; Ferreira, P;

Publication
Springer Proceedings in Mathematics and Statistics

Abstract
This work aims to assess the performance of European countries on the deployment of low-emission vehicles in road transportation. For this purpose, a model based on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to calculate a composite indicator for several European countries, aggregating seven sub-indicators built from a data set for the 2019 year. Various virtual weight restrictions schemes of the sub-indicators are studied to explore the robustness of the performance results. By adopting the most robust scheme, the performance results obtained indicate that most European countries have the potential to improve their practices towards better road transport sustainability, by emulating the best practices observed in the four identified benchmarks. Thus, the inefficient countries should take measures to better support the market share of plug-in electric vehicles. In addition, the railway sector and the penetration of renewable energies should be enhanced to improve road transportation sustainability. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

2023

Hybrid Energy Storage System Control for Improved Cost and Lifetime Performance Analysis

Authors
Preto, M; Lucas, A; Benedicto, P;

Publication

Abstract

2023

Sound-Based Anomalies Detection in Agricultural Robotics Application

Authors
Baltazar, AR; dos Santos, FN; Soares, SP; Moreira, AP; Cunha, JB;

Publication
PROGRESS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, EPIA 2023, PT II

Abstract
Agricultural robots are exposed to adverse conditions reducing the components' lifetime. To reduce the number of inspection, repair and maintenance activities, we propose using audio-based systems to diagnose and detect anomalies in these robots. Audio-based systems are non-destructive/intrusive solutions. Besides, it provides a significant amount of data to diagnose problems and for a wiser scheduler for preventive activities. So, in this work, we installed two microphones in an agricultural robot with a mowing tool. Real audio data was collected with the robotic mowing tool operating in several conditions and stages. Besides, a Sound-based Anomalies Detector (SAD) is proposed and tested with this dataset. The SAD considers a short-time Fourier transform (STFT) computation stage connected to a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier. The results with the collected dataset showed an F1 score between 95% and 100% in detecting anomalies in a mowing robot operation.

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